A Slew of Things Comes From Irish
A slew is a large number. The word arrived from Irish, and two other slews exist.
A slew is a large number of things, as in a slew of problems. That sense came into American English from Irish *slua*, meaning a crowd or host — a word from the same family as the Irish term *sluagh*, used in folklore for a host of spirits. It arrived with Irish emigration in the nineteenth century. Two other slews exist: *slew* is the past tense of *slay*, and to *slew* is to turn sharply about an axis, a nautical word of unknown origin.
- A large number. *A slew of complaints.*
- Past tense of slay. *He slew the dragon.*
- To turn sharply. *The crane slewed round.*
- Irish — *slua*, a crowd. *The number sense.*
- Nineteenth century — American English. *The arrival.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | slew | A slew. |
| Verb | slew | Slewing. |
| Past of slay | slew | He slew. |
| Irish | slua | A crowd. |
| Related | slay | To slay. |
- A slew of new rules.Quantity.
- David slew Goliath.Past tense.
- The lorry slewed sideways.Motion.
Irish words in American English
- Slew — from *slua*, a crowd
- Galore — from *go leor*, enough
- Smithereens — from *smidirín*, a small fragment
- Shanty — possibly from *sean tí*, an old house
- Brogue — from *bróg*, a shoe
Irish *slua*, a host or crowd, recorded in American English from the 1830s.
Where does a slew of things come from?
From Irish slua, meaning a crowd or host, brought into American English by Irish emigration.
Is it related to the past tense of slay?
No. That is a separate word, and so is the nautical verb meaning to turn sharply.